Vehicular accessory system with a cluster of sensors on or near an in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield

ABSTRACT

An accessory system for a vehicle includes a windshield of a vehicle and a receiving structure attached at an in-cabin surface of the windshield. A structure is attached at the receiving structure. With the structure attached at the receiving structure, a cluster of individual sensors resides on or near the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield, and the cluster of individual sensors includes a forwardly-viewing camera. At least one of the individual sensors may (a) receive an input via a bus communication and/or (b) deliver an output via a bus communication. With the structure attached at the receiving structure, at least one of the individual sensors may be removable from the structure for service. At least one of the sensors may view through the windshield via a light transmitting aperture established in a light absorbing hiding layer at the windshield.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/410,620, filed Mar. 2, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,288,711,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/191,802,filed Jul. 27, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,134,117, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/026,591, filed Feb.14, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,994,471, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/467,660, filed May 18, 2009, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,888,629, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/197,660, filed Aug. 25, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,538,316,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/828,880,filed Jul. 26, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,420,159, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/699,271, filed Jan.29, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,265,342, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/418,906, filed May 5, 2006, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,262,406, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/913,748, filed Aug. 6, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,041,965, whichis a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/618,334, filedJul. 11, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,774,356, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/997,579, filed Nov. 29, 2001, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,593,565, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/433,467, filed Nov. 4, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,326,613, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/003,966, filed Jan. 7, 1998, by Niall R. Lynam, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,250,148, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a vehicle interior mirror assembly.

According to the invention there is provided a vehicle interior rearviewmirror assembly comprising a housing having a front end for releasableattachment to the interior surface of the vehicle windshield, a rear endhaving connection means for adjustably mounting a rearview mirror unitto the housing, the housing adapted for containing a rain sensor andbiasing means in use biasing the rain sensor into contact with theinterior surface of the windshield, the housing containing at least onefurther electrical component.

The invention further provides a vehicle interior rearview mirrorassembly comprising a housing having a front end for releasableattachment to the interior surface of the vehicle windshield, a rear endhaving connection means for adjustably mounting a rearview mirror unitto the housing, the interior of the housing comprising at least onecompartment, the compartment having an opening at the front end of thehousing for facing in use towards the windshield and, the compartmentadapted for containing a rain sensor and for biasing the rain sensorforwardly through the first opening into contact with the interiorsurface of the windshield, and the housing also containing at least onefurther electrical component.

The invention further provides a vehicle interior rearview mirrorassembly comprising a housing having a front end for releasableattachment to the interior surface of the vehicle windshield, a rear endhaving connection means for adjustably mounting a rearview mirror unitto the housing, the interior of the housing comprising a compartment,the compartment having a first opening at the front end of the housingfor facing in use towards the windshield and the compartment having asecond opening on at least one side of the housing, the compartmentcontaining a rain sensor and means for biasing the rain sensor forwardlythrough the first opening into contact with the interior surface of thewindshield, and the compartment containing at least one furtherelectrical component accessible through the second opening

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle interiorrearview mirror assembly comprising a housing having a front end forreleasable attachment to the interior surface of the vehicle windshield,a rear end having connection means for mounting a rearview mirror unitto the housing, and an internal wall subdividing the interior of thehousing into first and second compartments, the first compartment havinga first opening at the front end of the housing for facing in usetowards the windshield and the second compartment having a secondopening on at least one side of the housing, the first compartmentcontaining a rain sensor and means for biasing the rain sensor forwardlythrough the first opening into contact with the interior surface of thewindshield, and the second compartment containing at least one furtherelectrical component accessible through the second opening.

The invention further provides a vehicle interior rearview mirrorassembly comprising a housing having a front end for releasableattachment to the interior surface of the vehicle windshield, a rear endhaving connection means for releasably mounting a rearview mirror unitto the housing, a first opening at the front end of the housing forfacing in use towards the windshield, and a second opening on at leastone side of the housing for facing in use towards the top edge of thewindshield, the housing containing a rain sensor, means for biasing therain sensor forwardly through the first opening into contact with theinterior surface of the windshield, and at least one further electricalcomponent accessible through the second opening. The assembly furtherpreferably including a removable cover which mates with the housingaround the second opening and in use preferably extends along thewindshield towards the vehicle header, and electrical leads for the rainsensor and the further electrical component which in use are routedunder the cover to the header.

The invention provides the significant advantage that a vehiclemanufacturer is provided with the possibility of optionally including avariety of components with the rear view mirror assembly. Thispossibility is made available for example during the assembly lineprocess where the desired components to meet a particular specificationcan be included in the rear view mirror assembly. Furthermore, theremovable cover readily provides for the functional advantage of readilyincorporating a selected component whilst at the same time providing afunctionally attractive cover. The automaker is therefore provided withthe considerable advantage of the possibility of providing a pluralityof diverse options quickly and speedily during the assembly lineprocess.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a vehicle interior mirrorassembly according to the invention attached to the interior surface ofa windshield;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section through the mirror assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of the mirror assembly;

FIG. 4 is a view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 3 looking into theopening 18;

FIG. 5 is a view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 3 looking into theopening 20;

FIG. 6 is a view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 3 looking fromunderneath;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the wiring cover forming part of themirror assembly;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of another embodiment of vehicle interiormirror assembly according to the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of yet a further embodiment of a vehicle intorear mirror assembly according to the invention.

In certain of the figures some components are omitted or shown in dashedoutline to reveal the underlying structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, a vehicle interior rearview mirror assemblycomprises a die cast metal housing 10 (or optionally may be formed froma plastic moulding such as engineering polymeric resin such as a fillednylon or the like) having a front end 12 and a rear end 14, the frontend 12 being releasably attached to the interior surface of the vehiclewindshield 22 in a manner to be described. The interior of the housing10 is subdivided by an internal wall 16 into first and secondcompartments 18, 20 respectively, the first compartment 18 having anopening 18 a at the front end of the housing 10 which in use, and asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, faces towards the windshield 22 and the secondcompartment having an opening 20 a on the side of the housing which inuse faces towards the vehicle header 24 at the top edge of thewindshield. The front end 12 of the housing 10 is releasably attached tothe windshield 22 using an annular mounting button, not shown, in themanner described in EP 0 928 723 and U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/003,966, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,148, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

As shown in the various figures of the Ser. No. 09/003,966 application,it is desirable that the rain sensor mounting member attached to thewindshield and the rearview mirror mounting button provided on the rainsensor module are generally aligned along a common axis when the rainsensor module is mounted to the vehicle in order to provide a mountingof a rearview mirror assembly to the rain sensor module that isgenerally coaxial with the mounting of the rain sensor module to thewindshield. Optionally, a ceramic black frit layer, as is commonly knownin the windshield fabrication art, can be used on the inner surface ofthe windshield to hide the attachment location of the rain sensormodule. However, the center portion of such a ceramic layer shouldinclude a central opening or at least provide efficient transmission forthe output of the light emitters and the rain sensor unit at the pointof contact of its detecting surface to the windshield or to an adhesivelayer. The rain sensor module assembly includes the rain sensor unit,which is positioned in the housing and projects through an opening orport provided on a windshield facing side of the housing and extendsthrough an inner hollow open central portion of the rain sensor mountingbutton to contact the inner surface of the windshield. The rain sensorunit preferably comprises a compact rain sensor unit available from ITTAutomotive Europe, GMBH of Frankfurt, Germany. The rain sensor unitincludes a detecting surface which projects through an opening providedin adhesive layer so that direct contact is achieved between the innersurface of the windshield and the detecting surface of the rain sensorunit, and also includes a light emitting source and a light detectingsource along with associated electronic circuitry for generating anelectrical signal indicative of detection of moisture on the outersurface of the windshield. Light emitted by the emitter passes throughthe rain sensor detecting surface and is refracted at the outerwindshield surface, and re-enters the rain sensor at its detectingsurface to impinge the light detector of the rain sensor, whose outputis processed by electronic circuitry to detect the presence/absence ofmoisture on the windshield. The circuitry (in whole or in part) can becontained in the rain sensor and/or within the housing of the module.Optionally, the electronic circuitry can be located/share componentswith/receive input from or deliver output electrical accessories in thevehicle, such as a CAN bus, electronically equipped mirrors such aslighted mirror and automatic dimming electrochromic mirrors, overheadconsoles, and similar electrically functioning vehicle components.Electrical connectors can be accommodated at the rain sensor module,such as at or on its housing. The rain sensor can be separatelyremovable from the module for service, or can be an integral part of themodule so that a unitary module is provided by a supplier to theautomaker for mating with a windshield mounting member as the vehiclepasses along the vehicle assembly line (or at a local ready-to-installwindshield supply plant), and thereafter for attachment thereto of arearview mirror assembly. The electrical signal output by the rainsensor can be used to automatically operate the wiper system for thewindshield and/or the backlite, or operate other vehicular functionssuch as close a sunroof in the event of rain or change the brakingand/or traction characteristics of the vehicle braking and/or tractioncontrol systems.

Optionally, and as described in the Ser. No. 09/003,966 application, themount includes an annular or like member having a central opening and isadapted to mount the housing to the inner surface of the windshield. Theport of the housing is aligned with the central opening of the annularmember so that the rain sensor can extend through the port and throughthe central opening and contact the inner windshield surface fordetecting moisture on an outer surface of the vehicle windshield. Thehousing is preferably releasably secured to the annular member so thatthe rain sensor can be serviced or replaced. In addition, at least thesecond side of the housing substantially covers and conceals the annularmember. The rain sensor mount includes a housing having a cover, whichcovers an access opening in the housing, a means for mounting a rearviewmirror assembly to the housing, and a rain sensor, which is positionedin the housing and includes a detecting surface. Furthermore, a biasingmember is interposed between a portion of the housing and the rainsensor for urging the detecting surface of the rain sensor to opticalcouple to the windshield of the vehicle for detecting moisture on anouter surface of the windshield.

Optionally, and as described in the Ser. No. 09/003,966 application, thehousing of the rain sensor module assembly is preferably releasably orremovably mounted or attached to the rain sensor mounting button byattachment to a solid portion of the rain sensor mounting button, forexample by mechanical means such as by snap-on or twist-on attachmentor, alternatively, by a releasable adhesive layer. The rain sensormounting button may comprise of a variety of shapes including square,rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular and the like, with a centralopening through which the rain sensor unit extends to position thedetecting surface into contact with either the inner surface of thewindshield or the outer surface of the adhesive layer. Preferably, theouter rim of the rain sensor mounting button has a smooth edge radiusfor safety purposes, for example an edge radius of greater than or equalto two millimeters. Also, the attachment of the rain sensor module tothe rain sensor mounting button is preferably a breakaway mount, whichmeets government and automaker safety requirements upon impact during anaccident. The mounting member attached to the vehicle windshield such asthe rain sensor mounting button can have a wide variety of shapes andforms. It is desirable that there be an adequate contact area with thewindshield surface to assure long term integrity of the joint theretounder the loading conditions experienced during lifetime use in thevehicle. The weight of the rearview mirror assembly attached to themirror mounting button of the rain sensor module can vary from about 100grams to about 500 grams, or even higher dependent on the featurecontent of the mirror assembly. The rain sensor module itself ispreferably fabricated of lightweight materials, and preferably weighsless than about 100 grams, more preferably less than about 50 grams, andmost preferably less that about 25 grams. The mounting member may have acontiguous perimetal portion encompassing a central opening (such as anannulus with a central hole transverse therethrough so that a portion ofthe inner surface of the windshield is exposed thereat), or the mountingmember can be non-contiguous (for example, two spaced apart railsattached to the windshield encompassing an opening therebetween wherethe detecting surface of the rain sensor can contact the windshield, orthe mounting member can be a single rail with an adjacent portion of theinner surface of the windshield serving as the opening for contacting ofthe rain sensor to the windshield). Also, the rain sensor module can bereceived on the mounting member such that its engagement on the supportattached to the windshield causes the detecting surface of the rainsensor to be urged forward towards, and to contact, the windshield. Themodule itself, in cooperation with its mounting member on thewindshield, serves at least partially as a biasing member.

Optionally, and as described in the Ser. No. 09/003,966 application, therain sensor module assembly is mounted to the inner surface of thewindshield by a rain sensor mounting button. The rain sensor mountingbutton is preferably adhered to the inner surface of the windshield by alayer of adhesive such as an epoxy, a polyvinyl butyral, a urethane, ora silicone adhesive material or the like. The rain sensor mountingbutton may be circular in shape having a solid annular outer portion andan inner hollow open central portion. The solid portion of the rainsensor mounting button may comprise a polymer material, such as anengineering resin, a nylon or an ABS material, or can be a metalfabrication such as zinc casting or a sintered steel pressing orequivalent metal material such as steel, titanium, nickel, aluminum andtheir alloys, or the like.

Optionally, and as described in the Ser. No. 09/003,966 application, afirst end of the housing is preferably adapted to rotate or twist ontothe rain sensor mounting button and is, preferably, mounted to the rainsensor mounting button in a break-away mounting so that the housing andthe interior mirror assembly will detach from the rain sensor mountingbutton when any one of the housing and the mirror assembly are impacted.The mirror mounting button is mounted to a second end of housing or maybe integrally molded therewith.

The compartment 18 contains a rain sensor 26, preferably a compact rainsensor module available from ITT Automotive Europe GmbH of Frankfurt,Germany. The compartment 18 preferably also contains an arcuate steelspring finger 28 which is secured to the base of the compartment 18behind the rain sensor 26 and preferably serves to bias the rain sensor26 through the aperture in the mounting button and the opening 18 a intooptical contact with the windshield 22. Most preferably, rain sensor 26is a module which has a cross section diameter of at least 25millimeters (mm), more preferably at least 30 mm, but with a maximumdiameters ≦50 mm, more preferably ≦40 mm, and most preferably ≦35 mm.

The compartment 20 contains at least one further electrical componentwhich is accessible through the opening 20 a. In the present embodimentthe component is a printed circuit board 30 bearing a compass sensorsuch as a flux gate, magnetoinductive, magnetoresistive ormagnetocapacitive sensor.

At its rear end 14 the housing 10 has an integral ball 32 for releasablyand adjustably mounting a rearview mirror unit 34 to the housing 10generally in conventional manner. The mirror unit 34 comprises a mirrorhousing 36 containing a mirror 38 which is preferably an electro-opticmirror comprising front and rear plates separated by a space whichcontains an electro-optic medium such as an electrochromic mediumallowing variation in the amount of light transmitted through the mediumby varying the strength of an electric field applied across the medium.Alternatively a prismatic mirror element can be used. Such mirrors arewell known in the art. The ball 32 constitutes one part of a ball andsocket joint, the socket 36 being carried by the mirror housing 36. Themirror housing is adjustable about the ball and socket joint.Advantageously, the housing 10 is fixedly attached to the windshieldwhen mounted thereto. Thus, adjustment of the mirror housing to set thefield of rearward view of the mirror reflective element therein does noteffect the position/orientation of rain sensor and any other accessoryhoused in fixedly-attached housing 10. This is particularly advantageouswhen the electrical accessory in housing 10 comprises a compass sensorsuch as a magneto-resistive sensor, a magneto-inductive sensor, amagneto-capacitive sensor or a flux-gate sensor. By having the housing10 be fixedly attached, and by having it accommodate at least twoelectrical accessories (at least one of which preferably comprises arain sensor that is mounted in the housing 10 so as to view through andpreferably contact the windshield inner surface, and with the rainsensor attached to the windshield generally coaxial with the mirror unitthat is adjustable about housing 10), a compact overall interior mirrorsystem is provided comprising a housing accommodating a plurality ofelectrical accessories, the housing fixedly and detachably mounted to areceiving structure on the inner surface (typically a glass surface) ofthe vehicle windshield and with a mirror unit comprising a mirrorsupport arm and a mirror housing including a reflector element, themirror support arm/mirror housing being adjustable about the fixedhousing (and optionally detachable therefrom). In this manner, thehousing 10 presents a minimal footprint when viewed from outside thevehicle through the vehicle windshield.

The assembly further includes a removable cover 40 which mates with thehousing 10 around the opening 20 a and extends along the windshield tothe vehicle header 24. The cover 40, which is longitudinally symmetric,is moulded from a resilient, polymeric or plastics material andcomprises a pair of opposite, substantially coplanar, longitudinal sideedges 42, FIG. 7, which diverge from a relatively narrow rear end 44 ofthe cover 40 to a relative wide flared front end 46. The flared frontend 46 of the cover is open, and there is also a small opening 48 at thenarrow rear end 44. The cover 40 has an internal strengthening wall 50whose free edge 52 is recessed below the level of the edges 42. At itsflared front end the cover 40 has a pair of forward projections 54, andthe inside surface of the cover has a pair of raised ridges 56 (only oneis seen in FIG. 7) each extending along a respective side of the coveradjacent to the front end 46.

The exterior surface of the housing 10 has a corresponding pair ofelongated grooves or depressions 58 along each side of the opening 20 a,the exterior width of the housing across the opening 20 a beingsubstantially the same as the interior width of the cover 40 across thegrooves 58.

The cover 40 is fitted to the housing 10 by first inserting theprojections 54 into a recess 60, FIGS. 2 and 5, above the opening 20 aand then rotating the cover towards the windshield until the ribs 56snap-engage the grooves 58 (the cover 40 is sufficiently resilient topermit this) and the edges 42 of the cover come to lie flat against theinterior surface of the windshield 22, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thecover 40 may be removed by pulling the narrow end 44 away from thewindshield until the ribs 56 disengage the grooves 58 and thenwithdrawing the projection 54 from the recess 60.

The cover 40 serves a dual purpose. First, it protects the compartment20 a and hence the component 30 against the ingress of dust and othercontaminants, yet it is easily removed to allow the component 30 to beserviced or replaced, if necessary after removing the mirror unit 34.Secondly, it provides a conduit for electrical leads 62, 64 and 66respectively from the rain sensor 26, component 30 and (if fitted) theelectro-optic or other electrically operated mirror 38.

As seen in FIG. 1, these leads are routed under the cover 40 and throughthe opening 48 at the rear end 44 of the cover into the vehicle header24 where they are connected into the vehicle electrical system.

As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the ball joint 32 includes a passageway or aconduit through which can pass the electrical leads connecting to acomponent such as a electrochromic mirror element 38 or compass displayin the mirror head 34. In particular, there is shown a lead 68 connectedto a compass display 70 which displays through the mirror element.Alternatively, the display 70 can be located at other positions in theinterior rear view mirror assembly, such as in a chin portion or in aneyebrow portion.

Optionally, the removable cover includes at least one opening 100 orport through which a pointed object such as the tip of a ball point penor a needle or the like can be inserted to activate switches on a PCBlocated in one of the compartments. Thus, for example, the zone and/orthe calibration of a compass PCB can be adjusted without the necessityto remove the removable cover.

Also, a camera may be located on the assembly for example on thehousing, or mirror unit or cover and arranged to look either forwardlyor rearwardly in terms of the direction of motion of the vehicle, or inanother desired direction. In FIGS. 8 and 9 there is shown schematicviews of other embodiments of the invention. Thus, in FIG. 8 there isshown the housing 10 containing a rain sensor 26 and another electricalcomponent for example a printed circuit board of a compass sensor 30,with the housing attached to the vehicle windshield 22. The mirror unit34 is adjustably attached to the housing 10 by a double ball adjustablemirror support arm 101.

In FIG. 9, the mirror support arm 101 is attached to a mirror assemblymount 102. The housing 10 also comprises a mirror assembly mount button103 which may be fixed to the housing 10 or integrally formed therewith.The mount 102 is detachably attached to the mirror assembly mount button103.

Although the component 30 has been described as a compass sensor PCB, itcan be any of a number of sensors or circuits which can be made smallenough to fit in the compartment 20. Preferably, component 30 isprovided as a unitary module that is received within compartment 20.Most preferably, component 30 is electrically connected with theelectric/electronic wiring provided to the rear view mirror assembly.Thus, an electronic accessory can be provided as a module, can beinserted and received in the rear view mirror assembly, and can makeelectrical connection (such as by a plug and socket to the rear viewmirror assembly). This facilitates and enables the manufacture andsupply of the rear view mirror assembly, by a mirror assemblymanufacturer, to a vehicle assembly line, and the separate manufactureand supply of the electrical/electronic module to that vehicle assemblyline, with the automaker conveniently inserting the electric/electronicmodule into the compartment of the rear view mirror assembly when therear view mirror assembly is being mounted on a vehicle passing down avehicle assembly line.

For example, the compartment 20 may contain a sensor or sensors forvehicle altitude and/or incline, seat occupancy or air bag activationenable/disable, or (if a viewing aperture is made in the housing 10)photosensors for headlamp intensity/daylight intensity measurement.Alternatively, the compartment 20 may contain a transmitter and/orreceiver, along with any associated sensors, for geographic positioningsatellite (GPS) systems, pagers, cellular phone systems, ONSTAR™wireless communication, systems, vehicle speed governors, securitysystems, tire monitoring systems, remote fueling systems where vehiclefueling and/or payment/charging for fuel is remotely achieved, remotekeyless entry systems, garage and/or security door opener systems,INTERNET interfaces, vehicle tracking systems, remote car door unlocksystems, e-mail systems, toll booth interactions systems, highwayinformation systems, traffic warning systems, home access systems,garage door openers and the like. Of course, any of the above may bemounted under the cover 40, in addition to the component 30 in thecompartment 20.

Where the component 30 is a transmitter or receiver, or where a furthercomponent mounted under the cover 40 is a transmitter or receiver, thecover 40 may include an associated antenna. The antenna may mounted as aseparate item under the cover 40, or the cover itself may serve as theantenna, being either coated with a layer of conductive material ormoulded from a conductive plastics material.

Also, a photosensor may be included in a compartment of the housing,preferably a skyward facing photosensor that views skyward through thevehicle windshield for the purpose of providing automatic headlampactivation/deactivation at dusk/dawn. Also, the housing may include asingle microphone or a plurality of microphones for detecting vocalinputs from vehicle occupants for the purpose of cellular phone wirelesscommunication.

Most preferably such microphones provide input to an audio system thattransmits and communicates wirelessly with a remote transceiver,preferably in voice recognition mode. Such systems are described incommonly assigned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/382,720, filedAug. 25, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,003, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein.

In this regard it may be desirable to use audio processing techniquessuch as digital sound processing to ensure that vocal inputs to thevehicular audio system are clearly distinguished from cabin ambientnoise such as from wind noise, HVAC, and the like.

Preferably the housing includes an analog to digital converter and or adigital analog converter for the purpose of converting the analog outputof the microphone to a digital signal for input to a digital soundprocessor and for conversion of the digital output of a digital soundprocessor to an analog signal for wireless transmission to a remotetransceiver.

The housing may include a variety of information displays such as a PSIR(Passenger Side Inflatable Restraint) display, an SIR (Side-AirbagInflatable Restraint), compass/temperature display, a tire pressurestatus display or other desirable displays, such as those described incommonly assigned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/244,726, filedFeb. 5, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,613, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein.

For example, the interior rearview mirror assembly may include a displayof the speed limit applicable to the location where the vehicle istravelling. Conventionally, speed limits are posted as a fixed limit(for example, 45 MPH) that is read by the vehicle driver upon passing asign. As an improvement to this, an information display (preferably analphanumerical display and more preferably, a reconfigurable display)can be provided within the vehicle cabin, readable by the driver, thatdisplays the speed limit at whatever location on the road/highway thevehicle actually is at any moment. For example, existing speed limitsigns could be enhanced to include a transmitter that broadcasts a localspeed limit signal, such signal being received by an in-vehicle receiverand displayed to the driver. The speed limit signal can be transmittedby a variety of wireless transmission methods, such as radiotransmission, and such systems can benefit from wireless transmissionprotocols and standards, such as the BLUETOOTH low-cost, low-power radiobased cable replacement or wireless link based on short-rangeradio-based technology. Preferably, the in-vehicle receiver is locatedat and/or the display of local speed limit is displayed at the interiormirror assembly (for example, a speed limit display can be located in achin or eyebrow portion of the mirror case, such as in the mirrorreflector itself, such as in the cover 40, or such as in a pod attachedto the interior mirror assembly). More preferably, the actual speed ofthe vehicle can be displayed simultaneously with and beside the localspeed limit in-vehicle display and/or the difference or excess theretocan be displayed. Optionally, the wireless-based speed limittransmission system can actually control the speed at which a subjectvehicle travels in a certain location (such as by controlling an enginegovernor or the like). Thus, a school zone speed limit can be enforcedby transmission of a speed-limiting signal into the vehicle. Likewise,different speed limits for the same stretch of highway can be set fordifferent classes of vehicles. The system may also require driveridentification and then set individual speed limits for individualdrivers reflecting their skill level, age, driving record and the like.Moreover, a global positioning system (GPS) can be used to locate aspecific vehicle, calculate its velocity on the highway, verify what theallowed speed limit is at that specific moment on that specific stretchof highway, transmit that specific speed limit to the vehicle fordisplay (preferably at the interior rearview mirror that the driverconstantly looks at as part of the driving task) and optionally alertthe driver or retard the driver's ability to exceed the speed limit asdeemed appropriate. A short-range, local communication system such asenvisaged in the BLUETOOTH protocol finds broad utility in vehicularapplications, and particularly where information is to be displayed atthe interior mirror assembly, or where a microphone or user-interface(such as buttons to connect/interact with a remote wireless receiver) isto be located at the interior (or exterior) rearview mirror assembly.For example, a train approaching a railway crossing may transmit awireless signal such as a radio signal (using the BLUETOOTH protocol oranother protocol) and that signal may be received by and/or displayed atthe interior rearview mirror assembly (or the exterior sideview mirrorassembly). Also, the interior rearview mirror and/or the exterior sideview mirrors can function as transceivers/display locations/interfacelocations for intelligent vehicle highway systems, using protocols suchas the BLUETOOTH protocol. Protocols such as BLUETOOTH, as known in thetelecommunications art, can facilitate voice/data, voice over data,digital and analogue communication and vehicle/external wirelessconnectivity, preferably using the interior and/or exterior mirrorassemblies as transceiver/display/user-interaction sites. Electronicaccessories to achieve the above can be accommodated in housing 10,and/or elsewhere in the interior mirror assembly (such as in the mirrorhousing). Examples of such electronic accessories include in-vehiclecomputers, personal organizers/palm computers such as the Palm Pilot™personal display accessory (PDA), cellular phones and pagers, remotetransaction interfaces/systems such as described in commonly assigned,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/057,428, filed Apr. 8, 1998, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,158,655, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference herein, automatic toll booth payment systems, GPS systems,e-mail receivers/displays, a videophone, vehicle security systems,digital radio station transmission to the vehicle by wirelesscommunication as an alternate to having an in-vehicle dedicatedconventional radio receiver, traffic/weather broadcast to the vehicle,preferably digitally, and audio play and/or video display thereof in thevehicle, most preferably at the interior rearview mirror, highway hazardwarning systems and the like.

The information display at the interior rearview mirror assembly (suchas at the mirror housing or viewable in the mirror reflector) may beformed using electronic ink technology and can be reconfigurable.Examples of electronic ink technology include small plastic capsules ormicrocapsules, typically 1/10 of a millimeter across or thereabouts,that are filled with a dark ink and that have in that ink whiteparticles which carry a charge such as a positive charge. Electrodesplace an electric field across the capsules and the electric field canattract or repel the charged particles in the capsules. If the whiteparticle is attracted to the top of a capsule so that it is closest to aviewer, the display element/pixel appears white to the viewer. If thewhite particle is attracted to the bottom of the capsule (away from theviewer), the display element/pixel appears dark as the viewer now seesthe dark ink in the capsule. Such displays are available from E Ink ofCambridge, Mass. Such electronic ink displays have the advantage offorming text or graphics that, once formed, do not disappear when thedisplay powering voltage is disconnected (i.e. they have a long displaymemory). Alternately, GYRICON™ electronic ink technology developed byXEROX Corporation can be used. Here, microbeads are used that are black(or another dark color) on one side and white (or another light color)on the other side. The beads are dipolar in that one hemisphere carriesa stronger (and hence different) charge than the opposing otherhemisphere. The beads are small (about 1/10th of a millimeter diameter)and turn or flip when placed in an electric field, with the respectivepoles of the dipolar beads being attracted to the corresponding polarityof the applied electric field. Thus, a white pixel or a black pixel canbe electrically written. Once the bead has turned or flipped, it remainsturned or flipped unless an electric potential of the opposite polarityis applied. Thus, the display has memory.

Other types of information displays can be used at the interior mirrorlocation. For example, a field-emission display such as thefield-emission display available from Candescent Technologies of SanJose, Calif. can be used. Field-emission displays include a plurality ofcharge emitting sources or guns that bombard a phosphor screen. Forexample, a myriad of small or microscopic cones (<1 micron tall, forexample and made of a metal such as molybdenum) are placed about amillimeter from phosphors on a screen. The cones emit electrons fromtheir tips or apexes to bombard the phosphors under an applied electricfield. This technology is adaptable to provide thin display screens(such as less than 10 mm or so). Alternately, field-emission displayscan be made using carbon nanotubes which are cylindrical versions ofbuckminsterfullerene, and available from Motorola. Such field-emissiondisplays are particularly useful for video displays as they have highbrightness and good contrast ratio, even under high ambient lightingconditions such as in a vehicle cabin by day. Such displays can belocated at the interior rearview mirror, preferably, or optionallyelsewhere in the vehicle cabin such as in the dash, in the windshieldheader at the top interior edge of the windshield, in a seat back, orthe like.

A further advantage of providing a housing 10 which accommodatesmultiple electrical accessories, preferably in individual compartments,is that incorporation of optional accessories into a specific vehicle isfacilitated. It also facilitates supply of the housing 10 and associatedmirror unit by a mirror manufacturer and supply of at least one of theelectrical accessories by a second, different accessory manufacturer,and with the automaker placing the at least one electrical accessoryinto the housing 10 at the vehicle assembly plant, preferably at thevehicle assembly line. Thus, for example, an interior mirror assemblycan be manufactured by a mirror supplier that includes housing 10,compartments 18 and 20 (or, optionally, more compartments), printedcircuit board 30 (such as a compass sensor printed circuit board) incompartment 20 but with compartment 18 empty, removable cover 40, amirror support arm articulating about housing 20, a mirror housing orcase supported on said support arm, a reflector element in said mirrorhousing (preferably an electrochromic mirror element which includes aninformation display such as of compass direction and/or temperaturedisplaying through said mirror element as is known in the mirror arts).A rain sensor module can be made by a separate manufacturer. The rainsensor module and the interior mirror assembly can be shipped to avehicle assembly plant (or local to it). Then, when a particular vehiclerequires a rains sensor module, the vehicle manufacturer can place therain sensor module into compartment 18, connect the rain sensor moduleto the wire harness provided to mirror assembly (preferably, the rainsensor module docks into compartment 18 in a manner that connects itelectrically to the vehicle or alternatively, the rain sensor moduleincludes a plug or socket that connects to a corresponding socket orplug already provided in housing 10 (or elsewhere on the interior mirrorassembly). This allows “plug & play” accommodation of multipleaccessories into the interior rearview mirror assembly. Also, theinterior rearview mirror assembly may be shipped to the assembly plantwith both compartments 18 and 20 empty, thus allowing, for example, theautomaker to solely place a rain sensor module into compartment 18 butadd no further accessory into compartment 20.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein whichmay be modified or varied without departing from the scope of theinvention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An accessory system for a vehicle, saidaccessory system comprising: a windshield of a vehicle equipped withsaid accessory system; a receiving structure attached at an in-cabinsurface of said windshield, wherein said receiving structure comprisesone of (i) a contiguous receiving structure comprising a contiguousperimetal portion and (ii) a non-contiguous receiving structurecomprising at least two spaced apart elements; a structure attached atsaid receiving structure, wherein said structure comprises a portionthat attaches at said receiving structure; wherein, with said structureattached at said receiving structure, a cluster of individual sensorsresides on or near said in-cabin surface of said windshield, and whereinsaid cluster of individual sensors includes a forwardly-viewing camera;and wherein, with said structure attached at said receiving structure,at least one of said individual sensors is removable from said structurefor service.
 2. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said receivingstructure comprises a contiguous receiving structure comprising acontiguous perimetal portion.
 3. The accessory system of claim 2,wherein said receiving structure has an aperture therethrough, andwherein said contiguous perimetal portion circumscribes said aperture.4. The accessory system of claim 3, wherein said contiguous perimetalportion comprises an annulus.
 5. The accessory system of claim 3,wherein at least one sensor of said individual sensors views throughsaid windshield via said aperture.
 6. The accessory system of claim 5,wherein said sensor that views through said windshield via said aperturecomprises a rain sensor.
 7. The accessory system of claim 5, whereinsaid sensor that views through said windshield via said aperture viewsthrough a light transmitting aperture established in a light absorbinghiding layer at said windshield.
 8. The accessory system of claim 1,wherein said receiving structure comprises a non-contiguous receivingstructure comprising at least two spaced apart elements.
 9. Theaccessory system of claim 8, wherein said at least two spaced apartelements comprise at least two spaced apart rails.
 10. The accessorysystem of claim 8, wherein one of said individual sensors comprises arain sensor.
 11. The accessory system of claim 8, wherein one of saidindividual sensors views through a light transmitting apertureestablished in a light absorbing hiding layer at said windshield. 12.The accessory system of claim 11, wherein said one of said individualsensors viewing through said light transmitting aperture comprises arain sensor.
 13. The accessory system of claim 12, wherein said at leastone of said individual sensors removable from said structure for servicecomprises said rain sensor.
 14. The accessory system of claim 1, whereinsaid structure is detachably attached at said receiving structure. 15.The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said structure is attached atsaid receiving structure via a breakaway attachment.
 16. The accessorysystem of claim 1, comprising a cover configured for attachment at saidstructure.
 17. The accessory system of claim 16, wherein said covercomprises a polymeric cover.
 18. The accessory system of claim 16,wherein said cover is configured for detachable attachment at saidstructure.
 19. The accessory system of claim 16, wherein, with saidstructure attached at said receiving structure, said cover, whenattached at said structure, substantially conceals the presence of atleast said cluster of individual sensors from view by a driver of theequipped vehicle when normally operating the equipped vehicle.
 20. Theaccessory system of claim 16, wherein said cover provides protectionagainst ingress of a contaminant.
 21. The accessory system of claim 16,wherein said cover provides a conduit for electrical leads.
 22. Theaccessory system of claim 21, wherein said electrical leads areassociated with at least one sensor accommodated at said structure. 23.The accessory system of claim 16, wherein, with said structure attachedat said receiving structure, said cover is detachable to facilitateservice.
 24. The accessory system of claim 1, comprising a coverconfigured for attachment at said structure, wherein said cover, whenattached at said structure, at least partially hides said cluster ofindividual sensors from view by a driver of the equipped vehicle whennormally operating the equipped vehicle.
 25. The accessory system ofclaim 1, wherein one of said individual sensors comprises a compasssensor.
 26. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said structureincludes a mount for attaching an interior rearview mirror assembly atsaid structure.
 27. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein saidstructure includes one of a ball pivot element and a socket pivotelement of a single ball and socket pivot joint and wherein a mirrorhead includes the other of said ball pivot element and said socket pivotelement of said single ball and socket pivot joint, and wherein, withsaid mirror head attached at said structure, said mirror head isadjustable by a driver of the equipped vehicle about said single balland socket pivot joint to adjust a rearward field of view of areflective element of said mirror head.
 28. The accessory system ofclaim 27, wherein said structure includes said ball pivot element ofsaid single ball and socket pivot joint and wherein said mirror headincludes said socket pivot element of said single ball and socket pivotjoint.
 29. The accessory system of claim 27, wherein said single balland socket pivot joint includes a passageway, and wherein at least oneelectrical lead passes through said passageway of said single ball andsocket pivot joint.
 30. The accessory system of claim 29, wherein saidreceiving structure comprises a mirror mounting button.
 31. Theaccessory system of claim 29, wherein said at least one electrical leadconnects to at least one sensor accommodated at said structure.
 32. Theaccessory system of claim 29, wherein said at least one electrical leadconnects to circuitry disposed in said mirror head.
 33. The accessorysystem of claim 1, wherein said cluster of individual sensors includesat least one sensor selected from the group consisting of (i) a rainsensor, (ii) a compass sensor, (iii) a vehicle altitude sensor, (iv) avehicle incline sensor, (v) a headlight intensity sensor, (vi) adaylight intensity sensor and (vii) a geographic positioning satellitesensor.
 34. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said structureaccommodates circuitry associated with at least one of (a) saidforwardly-viewing camera and (b) a sensor of said cluster of individualsensors.
 35. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein saidforwardly-viewing camera views through a light transmitting apertureestablished in a light absorbing layer at said windshield.
 36. Theaccessory system of claim 35, wherein said light absorbing layercomprises a frit layer.
 37. The accessory system of claim 1, whereinsaid portion of said structure is configured to twist onto saidreceiving structure to attach said structure at said receivingstructure.
 38. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein at least one ofsaid individual sensors at least one of (a) receives an input via a buscommunication and (b) delivers an output via a bus communication. 39.The accessory system of claim 38, wherein said bus communicationcomprises a CAN bus communication.
 40. The accessory system of claim 1,wherein said structure is manufactured at a first manufacturer and isshipped to a vehicle assembly plant by said first manufacturer, andwherein an operator at said vehicle assembly plant attaches saidstructure at said receiving structure.
 41. The accessory system of claim40, wherein a sensor is disposed at one of said structure and saidreceiving structure before said structure is attached at said receivingstructure.
 42. The accessory system of claim 41, wherein said sensorcomprises a rain sensor module.
 43. The accessory system of claim 41,wherein, with said structure attached at said receiving structure, anoperator at said vehicle assembly plant attaches a cover at saidstructure.
 44. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said structurecomprises a metallic structure formed by at least one of (i) casting and(ii) sintering.
 45. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein saidstructure comprises a polymeric structure.
 46. An accessory system for avehicle, said accessory system comprising: a windshield of a vehicleequipped with said accessory system; a receiving structure attached atan in-cabin surface of said windshield, wherein said receiving structurecomprises at least two spaced apart elements; a structure attached atsaid receiving structure, wherein said structure comprises a portionthat attaches at said receiving structure; wherein, with said structureattached at said receiving structure, a cluster of individual sensorsresides on or near said in-cabin surface of said windshield, and whereinsaid cluster of individual sensors includes a forwardly-viewing camera;wherein said cluster of individual sensors further includes at least oneselected from the group consisting of (i) a rain sensor, (ii) a compasssensor, (iii) a vehicle altitude sensor, (iv) a vehicle incline sensor,(v) a headlight intensity sensor, (vi) a daylight intensity sensor and(vii) a geographic positioning satellite sensor; and wherein at leastone of said individual sensors at least one of (a) receives an input viaa bus communication and (b) delivers an output via a bus communication.47. The accessory system of claim 46, wherein, with said structureattached at said receiving structure, at least one of said individualsensors is removable from said structure for service.
 48. The accessorysystem of claim 46, wherein said cluster of individual sensors furtherincludes a rain sensor.
 49. The accessory system of claim 46, whereinsaid forwardly-viewing camera views through a light transmittingaperture established in a light absorbing hiding layer at saidwindshield.
 50. The accessory system of claim 49, wherein said lightabsorbing layer comprises a frit layer.
 51. The accessory system ofclaim 46, wherein said at least two spaced apart elements comprise atleast two spaced apart rails.
 52. The accessory system of claim 46,wherein at least one of (i) said structure is detachably attached atsaid receiving structure and (ii) said structure is attached at saidreceiving structure via a breakaway attachment.
 53. The accessory systemof claim 46, comprising a cover configured for attachment at saidstructure.
 54. The accessory system of claim 53, wherein said cover isconfigured for detachable attachment at said structure.
 55. Theaccessory system of claim 53, wherein, with said structure attached atsaid receiving structure, said cover, when attached at said structure,substantially conceals the presence of at least said forwardly-viewingcamera from view by a driver of the equipped vehicle when normallyoperating the equipped vehicle.
 56. The accessory system of claim 53,wherein said cover provides at least one of (i) protection againstingress of a contaminant and (ii) a conduit for electrical leads. 57.The accessory system of claim 46, wherein said structure includes a ballpivot element of a single ball and socket pivot joint and wherein amirror head includes a socket pivot element of said single ball andsocket pivot joint, and wherein, with said mirror head attached at saidstructure, said mirror head is adjustable by a driver of the equippedvehicle about said single ball and socket pivot joint to adjust arearward field of view of a reflective element of said mirror head. 58.The accessory system of claim 57, wherein said single ball and socketpivot joint includes a passageway, and wherein at least one electricallead passes through said passageway of said single ball and socket pivotjoint.
 59. The accessory system of claim 46, wherein said structureaccommodates circuitry associated with at least one of (a) saidforwardly-viewing camera and (b) a sensor of said cluster of individualsensors.
 60. An accessory system for a vehicle, said accessory systemcomprising: a windshield of a vehicle equipped with said accessorysystem; a receiving structure attached at an in-cabin surface of saidwindshield, wherein said receiving structure comprises a contiguousstructure; a structure attached at said receiving structure, whereinsaid structure comprises a portion that attaches at said receivingstructure; wherein, with said structure attached at said receivingstructure, a cluster of individual sensors resides on or near saidin-cabin surface of said windshield, and wherein said cluster ofindividual sensors includes a forwardly-viewing camera; wherein saidcluster of individual sensors further includes at least one selectedfrom the group consisting of (i) a rain sensor, (ii) a compass sensor,(iii) a vehicle altitude sensor, (iv) a vehicle incline sensor, (v) aheadlight intensity sensor, (vi) a daylight intensity sensor and (vii) ageographic positioning satellite sensor; and wherein at least one of (i)said structure is detachably attached at said receiving structure and(ii) said structure is attached at said receiving structure via abreakaway attachment.
 61. The accessory system of claim 60, wherein saidcontiguous receiving structure comprises a contiguous perimetal portion.62. The accessory system of claim 61, wherein said receiving structurehas an aperture therethrough, and wherein said contiguous perimetalportion circumscribes said aperture.
 63. The accessory system of claim62, wherein said contiguous perimetal portion comprises an annulus. 64.The accessory system of claim 62, wherein at least one of saidindividual sensors views through said windshield via said aperture. 65.The accessory system of claim 64, wherein said at least one of saidindividual sensors comprises a rain sensor.
 66. The accessory system ofclaim 65, wherein said receiving structure comprises a mirror mountingbutton.
 67. The accessory system of claim 64, wherein said at least oneof said individual sensors views through a light transmitting apertureestablished in a light absorbing hiding layer at said windshield. 68.The accessory system of claim 60, wherein, with said structure attachedat said receiving structure, said at least one of said individualsensors is removable from said structure for service.
 69. The accessorysystem of claim 60, wherein said forwardly-viewing camera views througha light transmitting aperture established in a light absorbing hidinglayer at said windshield.
 70. The accessory system of claim 60, whereinat least one of said individual sensors at least one of (a) receives aninput via a bus communication and (b) delivers an output via a buscommunication.
 71. The accessory system of claim 60, comprising a coverconfigured for attachment at said structure.
 72. The accessory system ofclaim 71, wherein said cover is configured for detachable attachment atsaid structure.
 73. The accessory system of claim 71, wherein, with saidstructure attached at said receiving structure, said cover, whenattached at said structure, substantially conceals the presence of atleast said forwardly-viewing camera from view by a driver of theequipped vehicle when normally operating the equipped vehicle.
 74. Theaccessory system of claim 71, wherein said cover provides at least oneof (i) protection against ingress of a contaminant and (ii) a conduitfor electrical leads.
 75. The accessory system of claim 60, wherein saidstructure includes a ball pivot element of a single ball and socketpivot joint and wherein a mirror head includes a socket pivot element ofsaid single ball and socket pivot joint, and wherein, with said mirrorhead attached at said structure, said mirror head is adjustable by adriver of the equipped vehicle about said single ball and socket pivotjoint to adjust a rearward field of view of a reflective element of saidmirror head.
 76. The accessory system of claim 75, wherein said singleball and socket pivot joint includes a passageway, and wherein at leastone electrical lead passes through said passageway of said single balland socket pivot joint.
 77. The accessory system of claim 60, whereinsaid structure accommodates circuitry associated with at least one of(a) said forwardly-viewing camera and (b) a sensor of said cluster ofindividual sensors.
 78. An accessory system for a vehicle, saidaccessory system comprising: a windshield of a vehicle equipped withsaid accessory system; a receiving structure attached at an in-cabinsurface of said windshield; a structure attached at said receivingstructure, wherein said structure comprises a portion that attaches atsaid receiving structure; wherein, with said structure attached at saidreceiving structure, a cluster of individual sensors resides on or nearsaid in-cabin surface of said windshield, and wherein said cluster ofindividual sensors includes a forwardly-viewing camera and includes arain sensor; wherein at least one of said individual sensors at leastone of (a) receives an input via a bus communication and (b) delivers anoutput via a bus communication; and wherein at least one of said sensorsviews through said windshield via a light transmitting apertureestablished in a light absorbing hiding layer at said windshield. 79.The accessory system of claim 78, wherein, with said structure attachedat said receiving structure, at least one of said individual sensors isremovable from said structure for service.
 80. The accessory system ofclaim 78, wherein said receiving structure comprises one of (i) acontiguous receiving structure comprising a contiguous perimetal portionand (ii) a non-contiguous receiving structure comprising at least twospaced apart elements.
 81. The accessory system of claim 78, whereinsaid receiving structure comprises a non-contiguous receiving structurecomprising at least two spaced apart elements.
 82. The accessory systemof claim 81, wherein said at least two spaced apart elements comprise atleast two spaced apart rails.
 83. An accessory system for a vehicle,said accessory system comprising: a windshield of a vehicle equippedwith said accessory system; a receiving structure attached at anin-cabin surface of said windshield; a structure attached at saidreceiving structure, wherein said structure comprises a portion thatattaches at said receiving structure; wherein, with said structureattached at said receiving structure, a cluster of individual sensorsresides on or near said in-cabin surface of said windshield, and whereinsaid cluster of individual sensors includes a forwardly-viewing camera;wherein, with said structure attached at said receiving structure, acover, when attached at said structure, substantially conceals thepresence of at least said forwardly-viewing camera from view by a driverof the equipped vehicle when normally operating the equipped vehicle,and wherein said cover is configured for detachable attachment at saidstructure; and wherein at least one of said sensors views through saidwindshield via a light transmitting aperture established in a lightabsorbing hiding layer at said windshield.
 84. The accessory system ofclaim 83, wherein at least one of said individual sensors at least oneof (a) receives an input via a bus communication and (b) delivers anoutput via a bus communication.
 85. The accessory system of claim 83,wherein, with said structure attached at said receiving structure, atleast one of said individual sensors is removable from said structurefor service.
 86. The accessory system of claim 83, wherein, with saidstructure attached at said receiving structure, an operator at a vehicleassembly plant attaches said cover at said structure.
 87. The accessorysystem of claim 83, wherein said cover comprises a polymeric cover. 88.The accessory system of claim 83, wherein said cover provides protectionagainst ingress of a contaminant.
 89. The accessory system of claim 83,wherein said cover provides a conduit for electrical leads.
 90. Theaccessory system of claim 89, wherein said electrical leads areassociated with at least one of said individual sensors.
 91. Theaccessory system of claim 83, wherein, with said structure attached atsaid receiving structure, said cover is detachable to facilitateservice.
 92. The accessory system of claim 83, wherein said sensor thatviews through said windshield via said light transmitting aperturecomprises a rain sensor.
 93. The accessory system of claim 83, whereinsaid forwardly-viewing camera views through said light transmittingaperture established in said light absorbing hiding layer at saidwindshield.